Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals - Household Experiences with Federal Summer Nutrition Programs in 2025
In December 2025 and January 2026, No Kid Hungry and Mathematica surveyed more than 2,300 caregivers about their experiences with Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) and rural non-congregate summer meals. We heard from families who participated, families who didn't, and families in states that did not offer Summer EBT. The full report shares what caregivers told us about how they learn about these programs, what makes them easier or harder to use, and what would improve their experience.
To help turn these findings into action, we've paired the report with companion resources that translate what families told us into practical steps for making programs more participant-centered:
- Rural non-congregate summer meals resources for state agencies, and for sponsors and outreach partners.
- Summer EBT resources for state agencies, and for schools, community organizations, and program partners (click here).
Whether you administer a program, run a meal site, or connect families to benefits, these resources offer a starting point for designing summer nutrition around what families say they need.
- Program
- Non-Congregate Summer Meals (SUN Meals To-Go)
- Category
- Audiences
- Download
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- Household Experiences with Federal Summer Nutrition Programs in 2025 Full Report
- Resource for Sponsors and Outreach Partners - Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals: How to Enhance the Program for Families
- Resource for State Agencies - Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals: How to Enhance the Program for Families